1917 The Battle of Messines

The Battle of Messines during the First World War was a prelude to the much larger Third Battle of Ypres − better known as Passchendaele − which began on 31 July 1917.

In contrast to the disaster that was to occur at Passchendaele, the carefully prepared attack on Messines was a striking success. It began at 3.10 a.m. on 7 June, with the explosion of huge mines that had been placed under the German lines by hard-working tunnellers. Almost immediately, New Zealand troops of 2nd and 3rd (Rifle) brigades left their trenches and advanced towards the ridge in front of them, on which lay the ruins of Messines village. Australian and British troops on either side of them did the same.

Despite the success of the attack, the New Zealanders paid a heavy price: by the time the New Zealand Division was withdrawn on 9 June, it had suffered 3700 casualties, of which 700 were fatal. Read more ...

Image: New Zealand artillery in action at Messines, 8 June 1917. Ref: 14-0065-G, Alexander Turnbull Library